White House Releases "National Strategy to Secure 5G"

On Monday, March 23, President Trump signed into law the Secure 5G and Beyond Act of 2020. That legislation directs the Administration, within 180 days of enactment, to develop a plan that ensures the security of domestic 5G networks; provides allies with technical assistance as they work to harden their own 5G networks; and protects the competitiveness of U.S. companies, the privacy of consumers, and the integrity and impartiality of standards-setting bodies.

The same week, the White House initiated that process by releasing the "National Strategy to Secure 5G," a framework document that defines the following four lines of effort:

One: facilitating the private-sector led rollout of 5G in the United State by building upon the FCC's 5G Fast Plan and NTIA's National Spectrum Strategy.

Two: defining core security principles for 5G capabilities and infrastructure in response to potential risks, which may be economic or national security in nature. Core security principles include best practices in cybersecurity,  supply chain risk management, and public safety, and will be synchronized with other security principles, such as the "Prague Proposals."

Three: addressing risks associated with the worldwide development and deployment of 5G infrastructure by (a) ensuring supply chain security, and (b) by taking actions necessary to protect U.S. national security interests from 'high-risk' vendors (that is, those owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a foreign adversary that pose an undue or unacceptable risk) that build upon Executive Order 13873 (issued May 15, 2019).

Four: working with like-minded countries to promote (a) the responsible global development and deployment of 5G technology and security principles, (b) U.S. leadership in standards setting, and (c) the availability of secure and reliable equipment and services.

5G will drive forward the economy in the years ahead. Therefore it is encouraging to see Congress and the Administration take proactive steps to safeguard next-generation wireless infrastructure and ensure continued American technological leadership in this space.